I’m having a secret love affair. She lives down the road. I don’t know what her name is, but I call her “sweetie.” Sweetie is my neighbor’s yellow lab. I see her several times a week when I am walking or running. She greets me with what seems like a happy recognition, “oh, it’s you! You are my favorite visitor! I’m so happy to see you!”

And she is happy, profoundly happy. Yet, I must admit, that she is not happy to see me–the particular me–she is happy to see anyone. We tend to forget this when we see a creature dancing with ecstatic, spasmodic, plaintive joy. Sweetie is like this–she writhes with delight, she grunts and snorts and roles over on her back, she seems upon the brink of bursting.

Sadly this canine commonality was true even of my own dogs. My greyhound, Cleomi, was a great lover and far more affectionate than loyal. She would have gone home in a stranger’s car. My laconic Rhodesian Ridgeback Ruki, was also an equal opportunity lover. Of course, I shared a profound connection with both of them but they loved in common ways.

Verily, Sweetie demonstrates unconditional love. She reminds me that such unbridled affection is possible–and available in any moment. She shows me unconditional love and I endeavor to show it in return. It is enough to feel this love for a few minutes each visit and then say good-bye. Her reaction will be undiminished the next time I see her. She is pure affection, pure attachment.

We’d do well to embrace the moment with a similar enthusiasm as Sweetie–energetic, non-verbal, and fresh. Whether this moment is the simple movement of our breathing, noticing the landscape, or the embrace of a loved one, Sweetie’s example can move us closer to mindfulness. When all the preconditions stop, when all the expectations cease, when all the memories are dropped, we can just be, and a happy dance may not be far behind!

Arnie Kozak

Recognized as an innovator in the field of mindfulness-based psychology, Dr. Arnie Kozak is northern New England's leading expert in the field. Dr. Kozak's ability to translate ancient healing traditions into pragmatic applications suitable for modern lifestyles through the use of metaphors have made him a strong voice in healthcare and business.

Beginning with a journey to India in the 80â€™s where he took the Bodhisattva vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Arnie Dr. Kozak began his lifelong practice in mindfulness meditation. Intent on finding a way to bring the practical healing attributes of mindfulness he began incorporating these techniques in his private practice. In 2002 Dr. Kozak created Exquisite Mind in Burlington, Vermont as a vehicle that could expand his wisdom to larger audiences beyond individual psychotherapy to professionals and corporations, health care providers, public groups and, most recently with Exquisite Mind Golf, amateur and professional golfers. His award-winning new book, Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants: 108 Metaphors for Mindfulness (Wisdom Publications, 2009) is a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring translation of mindfulness practice through the inventive use of metaphor applicable to our daily lives.

In addition to his work with Exquisite Mind, Arnie Kozak, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologistâ€”Doctorate has been a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Vermont and is a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine. He has studied and practiced clinical psychology, meditation, and yoga for more than 25 years. He has studied with several meditation masters, including S. N. Goenka, Larry Rosenberg, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After receiving his bachelors degree with honors from Tufts University, he was awarded a Presidential Fellowship to get his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University at Buffalo. He completed his training as a Psychological Fellow at the Harvard Medical School. Prior to founding the Exquisite Mind in 2002, Arnie worked ten years in the private sector for the PKC Corporation consulting on mental health content for this revolutionary software company.